Four New Wetlands Designated As Ramsar Sites In India

Ahead of World Wetlands Day on 2nd February, four more wetlands in India have been recognized as Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention.

Inclusion of new wetlands brings the total number of globally recognized wetlands in the country to 89.
The newly designated sites are:
1. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary and Therthangal Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu.
2. Khecheopalri Wetland in Sikkim.
3. Udhwa Lake in Jharkhand.

Key figures about the Ramsar Sites

Tamil Nadu now leads India with 20 Ramsar sites, the highest number in the country. Uttar Pradesh follows with 10 sites.
Sikkim and Jharkhand have received their first Ramsar sites: Khecheopalri Wetland and Udhwa Lake, respectively.
India ranks third globally with 89 Ramsar sites, after the United Kingdom (176) and Mexico (144). India also has the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia.
Over the last decade, India’s Ramsar sites have increased to 89, with 47 sites added in the last three years.

Represents rare or unique natural wetland types.
Supports endangered species or threatened ecological communities.
Maintains biodiversity in specific biogeographic regions.
Offers refuge during adverse conditions.
Regularly accommodates 20,000 or more waterbirds.
Sustains 1% of the population of a single waterbird species.
Serves as a critical source of food, spawning grounds, nurseries, and migration paths for fish.
Regularly supports 1% of the population of non-avian wetland-dependent animal species.

Originally known as Kha-Chot-Palri, meaning “the heaven of Padmasambhava,” this lake is located near Khecheopalri village in West Sikkim.
It is considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus and is believed to be a wish-fulfilling lake.
The local name for the lake is Sho Dzo Sho, which means “Oh Lady, Sit Here.”
The lake drains water from the Ramam watershed, named after the Ramam mountain.

Located in the Sahibganj district of Jharkhand, this sanctuary is situated on the floodplain of the Ganga River.
It consists of two interconnected water bodies, Patauda and Berhale, which are linked by a water channel.
Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA), the sanctuary is significant for avian habitat conservation.

Located in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, this sanctuary is an irrigation tank that stores water for agriculture.
The tank is recharged by the northeast monsoon from October to January.
This sanctuary lies along the Central Asian Flyway, serving as a critical breeding and foraging ground for waterbirds such as the Spot billed Pelican, Egret, Common Myna, Grey Heron etc.

Therthangal Bird Sanctuary is located in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.
It serves as a critical breeding and foraging ground for various waterbird species such as the White -breasted Kingfisher, Spot- billed Pelican, Brahminy Kite etc.

According to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, wetlands are defined as:

Areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary.
They include areas with static or flowing water, fresh, brackish, or saltwater, including marine areas where the water depth at low tide does not exceed six meters.
Wetlands are transitional zones between terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) ecosystems.

Source of Water: Wetlands absorb rainwater and help recharge groundwater.
Flood and Storm Buffer: They act like sponges, absorbing rainfall and snowmelt, and allowing water to percolate gently into the soil, reducing the risk of floods.
Water Purification: Wetlands trap contaminants in sediments and plants, reducing pollutants like phosphorus and nitrogen from agricultural runoff.
Habitats for Migratory Birds: Wetlands provide feeding, resting, and nesting grounds for migratory birds.
Biodiversity Hotspots: Many wetlands are home to a variety of endemic and endangered species. For example, Keibul Lamjao, a floating national park in Manipur, is the only natural habitat of the globally endangered Brow-antlered Deer.

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty focused on “the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.”
The treaty is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where it was signed on 2nd February 1971.
- February 2nd is celebrated every year as World Wetlands Day.
- The Ramsar Convention came into force in 1975.
The convention has three main pillars:
- Work towards the wise use of all wetlands.
- Designate suitable wetlands for the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the Ramsar List) and ensure their effective management.
- Cooperate internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems, and shared species.

The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the Ramsar List where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur due to human interference, pollution, or technological developments.
It serves as a tool to monitor and address threats to these important ecosystems.
As of now, two Indian wetlands are listed in the Montreux Record:
- Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan (Added in 1990): Located in Bharatpur, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Loktak Lake, Manipur (Added in 1993): The largest freshwater lake in northeastern India, famous for Phumdis (floating vegetation).
Chilika lake (Odisha) was placed in the record but was later removed from it.

Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!

Also Read
UPSC Daily Editorials	UPSC Daily Current Affairs
Daily Current Affairs Quiz	Daily Main Answer Writing
Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store	UPSC Test Series
Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store	Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store